I love the power of words to move and transport us. But more than anything I love helping to craft text that will keep readers hooked to the very last page. That’s the job of the editor, and it’s been my privilege to share in the journeys of some amazing authors.
About
I have 10 years’ experience as an in-house book editor at award-winning independent publisher Pantera Press. Most recently, I held positions as Senior Editor and Managing Editor. I was instrumental in building the editorial department at Pantera Press from the ground up.
I’m across all areas of the publishing business and have knowledge of how PR, marketing and sales inform decisions about whether to acquire a manuscript and how targeting the right audience is an essential part of the editing process.
I have worked with numerous best-selling and award-winning Australian authors, including Sulari Gentill, Kylie Kaden, Genevieve Gannon, Sasha Wasley, Amal Awad, Lynette Noni and Meg Gatland-Veness.
My editing skills range from commercial and literary adult fiction and non-fiction, YA, middle grade and children’s books. I have substantial experience developing manuscripts, from structural editing to copyediting and proofreading, and in project management. I’m able to balance big-picture developmental editing with meticulous details.
Along with managing and training a team of editors, I also acted as a publisher, acquiring books and curating my own list of authors. I have been heavily involved in the publishing industry in Australia, attending workshops, pitching events and conferences, speaking on panels at Writing NSW, Romance Writers Australia, CYA Conference and Bellingen Writers Festival.
I’m passionate about making books the best they can be, and ensuring the visions of both publisher and author align. I pride myself on my attention to detail, efficiency, ability to meet deadlines, reliability, and author care and satisfaction. I’m highly skilled at reducing word counts, tightening prose, and heavy edits when requested where portions of a manuscript need to be written or re-written seamlessly with the author’s voice.
I have a Master of Publishing degree from the University of Sydney and I’m also the author of award-winning children’s book You Can Change the World, which was sold into six different territories and translated into four languages.
Services
- Manuscript Assessment
- Structural Editing
- Copyediting
- Proofreading
- Pitching your Manuscript: Advice on submitting to publishers and agents
- PhD and Honours Theses
- Website Copy
Portfolio
Testimonials
‘Lucy’s editorial expertise is second to none. Specialising in commercial fiction, as well as children’s and middle-grade books, she has earned glowing praise from a number of career-authors, many of whom describe her as the best editor they’ve ever worked with. Lucy possesses a rare ability to balance big-picture developmental editing with a meticulous eye for detail, guiding manuscripts from initial concept to publication with precision and care. Her commercial instincts and editorial skills have consistently resulted in successful, high-impact publications … Beyond her editorial excellence, Lucy is a strategic thinker. It was her vision and passion for children’s publishing that drove Pantera’s expansion into this space … Lucy Bell is an extraordinary editor whose mastery of both the editorial process and project management sets her apart, alongside her exceptional leadership, expertise and commitment to developing her team.’ – Ali Green, Founding Director and CEO of Pantera Press 2008–2024
‘I had the pleasure of managing Lucy during my time at Pantera Press, though the labelling of this relationship is misleading. Lucy is so capable and so competent in her ability to manage projects that our relationship was genuinely more of colleagues sharing their work challenges. Lucy’s calm efficiency and unflappable approach set the tone for even the most tricky of projects, and her intense skill and wonderful editorial eye polished every title that she worked on to a bright shine. Her experience as an award-winning author allowed her to work with the authors on the Pantera list from a place of deep empathy but also professional practicality. Lucy is a thoughtful and careful editor, a strong and reliable manager, and a delightful and kind colleague. I can’t wait to work with her again.’ – Kate Cuthbert, Publishing Director, Books+Publishing
‘Lucy Bell is a highly skilled editor who quickly understands the ambition of the work and is able to support you to achieve it at a deep level. She asks the right questions, makes macro suggestions that make the story stronger and micro suggestions that make the writing richer. Working with Lucy will make your work more powerful.’ – Erina Reddan, author of The Serpent’s Skin
‘I was lucky to be assigned Lucy as the editor of my book Eww Gross. She was a delight to work with, and helped elevate the book to another level. Lucy effortlessly improved the copy and offered valuable insights to some of the book’s content, both commercially and creatively. I’m a better writer for the experience and look forward to working with her again in the future.’ – Dan Marshall, author of Eww Gross, No Way, and Mind Blown
‘Lucy is a word guru – I was lucky enough to have her edit several of my novels at Pantera Press for many years, and she was a fabulous support through the whirlwind of structural edits, copyedits and proofreading. With an eagle eye and great instincts for storyline and pacing, she made my prose tighter, cleaner and grammatically correct! Lucy is a delight to work with, respectful of my views but honest with her appraisals and ways we can work together to wrangle a tricky plot point or prickly sentence. I have been lucky enough to have editors that show such a generosity of spirit – they really are the unsung heroes behind your favourite stories and articles – and she was no exception. I highly recommend her for your editing project.’ – Kylie Kaden, author of One of Us and The Day the Lies Began
‘I was so grateful to have Lucy Bell’s sharp eye on my novel Inheritance. The near-future speculative story with dual timelines was complicated, to say the least, and it required close attention. Lucy’s enthusiasm for the project, her keen editorial judgement and attention to detail ensured it was the best it could be. Lucy was thoughtful, thorough and insightful. She was a pleasure to work with. I hope to collaborate with her on future books.’ – Genevieve Gannon, author of Inheritance and The Mothers
‘Lucy Bell is everything you want and need in an editor: a clear head and steady hand to guide you on what can be a challenging editorial journey. Her passion for storytelling is clear, as are her care and respect for the author and their vision. Working with Lucy on my novels was an enriching, educational and warm experience. I cannot recommend her enough!’ – Amal Awad, author of The Things We See in the Light, Courting Samira and This is How You Get Better
‘I’ve worked with Lucy as my editor on several occasions and cannot recommend her highly enough. She is wise and sensitive, with a love of books and deep industry knowledge. She brings a compassionate and progressive worldview to her services which means she can empathise with not just your characters and narrative, but also your intentions for your book. Lucy is an incredible editor with an eye for each story’s unique potential. She gently and kindly nurtures a work alongside the writer, helping turn it into something special, polished and best of all, publishable.’ – Sasha Wasley (writing as Ash Harrier), author of The Alice England Mysteries
‘The relationship between an author and an editor is something special, and I couldn’t have hoped for a better editor than Lucy. It was her enthusiasm, her gentle encouragement and her determination to make every word and every scene work for the story that pushed me to become a better writer. She always got exactly what I was trying to do, was always there to bounce ideas off, offered encouragement when I’d lost confidence, left lovely comments in the margins during copyedits, and was there for me throughout the entire process. Thank you, Lucy, for helping me transform from an enthusiastic but naive amateur into a writer I can be proud of.’– Rebecca Freeborn, author of Misconception, The Girl She Was, The Favour and Hot Pursuit
‘I had the pleasure of working with Lucy on my two middle-grade novels. Lucy is an outstanding editor. Her insightful feedback and expert structural edits were invaluable in developing my manuscripts. My recent novel won the ARA Historical Novel Prize and was short-listed for The Readings Prize. I am indebted to Lucy for bringing out the best in my writing and helping me to achieve this dream. I highly recommend Lucy to any writer seeking a supportive and professional editing service.’ – Beverley McWilliams, author of Spies in the Sky and The Reindeer and the Submarine
‘Lucy Bell has been the senior editor on several of my major works. More than an editor, I always considered Lucy a trusted partner. Lucy has a talent for tapping into the spirit of each project and fleshing out its bare bones to full potential. She understands each target demographic and gives the work an appropriate voice in which to engage. More than that, she is a joy to work with, and my books would not be what they are today without her.’ – B. Michael Radburn, author of The Taylor Bridges crime series
‘As a debut novelist signed by Pantera Press – and completely unfamiliar with the editing process – I was so fortunate to have Lucy Bell in my corner as not only my editor, but my “champion” through the publishing of two successful crime novels. It was Lucy’s skill, patience, support and knowledge that enabled my manuscripts to develop into the polished final products that appeared on bookstore shelves. Always open and approachable, Lucy had complete faith and belief in my writing from day one – even during the inevitable moments of doubt – and she was absolutely dedicated to ensuring we ended up with the best product possible. From the initial manuscript assessment through to structural and copyedits, Lucy was thorough and professional every step of the way and I always felt like she just “got” my writing and where I was heading with the structure of my manuscripts. I cannot sing her praises high enough; it has been an absolute pleasure to work with Lucy over several years. If I could’ve put her name on the cover next to mine I would have, such was the impact she had on my writing.’ – D.L. Hicks, author of The Devil Inside and The Fallback
‘I worked with Lucy Bell for eight years on my three YA novels. She has been a positive and supportive editor throughout this time who I have found easy to communicate with. Her feedback is constructive and flexible and she is always happy to talk through her notes and for the editing process to be collaborative. She has been an incredible inspiration to me throughout my career as an emerging Australian author and without her ongoing friendship and support I would not be where I am today. I am incredibly grateful for her work as my editor and cannot recommend her highly enough.’ – Meg Gatland-Veness, author of I Had Such Friends, When Only One and What’s Murder Between Friends
Contact
Please contact me for a quote.